<i><font color="#663300">Hi,
I have been using VFP6 for two years to make an application where the VFP6 database resides on the server and the client app accesses it via ODBC (to allow dial-up if necessary). I have posted these questions to other forums but I'd like a response from this one because we seem to have a continuous misunderstanding. It would also be helpful if someone points me to a Microsoft article or official document that clarifies this.
1) When a parameterized <b>remote view</b> is opened, is it that the <b>entire</b> base table is loaded to the client machine and the parameterization happens on the client side because of the fact that we are dealing with flat files?
If this is true, then we can't really making an efficient app using ODBC. The only way to avoid this, is to have a backend database that is not based on flat files, e.g. SQL Server, Oracle
Gracie</font></i>
Yes and No... it is not so much an issue of using flat files, as the fact that you are using VFP. Whether you use VFP nativly or it's ODBC driver, the database engine runs on the client.
Some where this concept of using VFP ODBC somehow makes things client server has confused alot of people. There is also talk that it is faster over a slow connection to use the ODBC driver than native access. Which may be true, but the difference is going to be minimal.
Now, that being said, you don't have to go to SQL or Oracle to have a true client server architecture. There are several ways to do this with VFP.
I think the simplest approach is one that Les Pinter did an article and wednesday night lecture on a few months ago. You can find out about it at http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~UsingWebConnect . Also, Rick Strahl wrote a similar white paper you can find at http://www.west-wind.com/presentations/wchttp.htm .
Both of these article discuss the concept of building a client/server ap where both the client and server (with the help of a web server) are implemented with VFP. Les Pinter has a very simple set of classes and he says he can retrofit a VFP in about 20 minutes.
IF you want to use Codebook with these methods you could. You may even find that you could create a data behavior class that uses this technique.
Hope this helps,
BOb
©2002 Bob Archer |
